1
a
: given to generous and cordial reception of guests
a kind, hospitable people
They are hospitable … : give a guest everything, and leave him free to do as he likes. Bram Stoker
b
: promising or suggesting generous and friendly welcome
hospitable faces
c
: offering a pleasant or sustaining environment
grows in even the least hospitable climates
2
: readily receptive : open
hospitable to new ideas

Examples of hospitable in a Sentence

The people of that country are very hospitable. It's a hearty plant that grows in even the least hospitable climates. elderly people moving to Florida for its hospitable climate
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The names of the beers on tap all have local ties and the family that runs the place is hospitable. Trudy Haywood Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2025 When thinking about quintessential Southern attributes, qualities like hospitable, benevolent, and polite come to mind. Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025 Elsewhere, Sian Clifford playfully portrays a witty and hospitable local grocery shop owner who might become Charles’ romantic interest, while also offering some help to the out-of-towners. Tomris Laffly, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025 Trump would arrive in a city far more hospitable than the Washington of 2017. Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hospitable

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin hospitābilis, from hospitāre "to lodge, reside, give lodging to, house" (going back to Latin hospitārī "to put up as a guest, give lodging to," derivative of hospit-, hospes "guest, host") + Latin -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy (of being acted upon)" — more at host entry 1, -able

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hospitable was circa 1570

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Cite this Entry

“Hospitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hospitable. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

1
: generous and friendly in entertaining guests
2
a
: pleasant sense 2, inviting
a hospitable inn
b
: offering a pleasant or healthful environment
a hospitable climate
3
: open entry 1 sense 7
hospitable to new ideas

More from Merriam-Webster on hospitable

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